1. Introduction
While browsing through a list of Hilton-affiliated hotels in Japan with a goal to stay at all of them, one name immediately caught my eye: "Kyukaruizawa KIKYO, Curio Collection by Hilton." The name stands out from the other Hilton properties — and that alone piqued my curiosity.
So I booked it and went.
This hotel isn't part of Hilton's main brands but rather the Curio Collection.
The Curio Collection is Hilton's "independent luxury" tier — a portfolio of distinctive, character-rich properties around the world. I went in expecting a hotel that truly captures the spirit of its location, and that expectation only grew as I approached.
In July 2026, we stayed for two nights.
Just one hour from Tokyo by Hokuriku Shinkansen (my first time in Gran Class ✨), we arrived at Kyukaruizawa KIKYO, nestled in the forests of old Karuizawa. Here's our full stay report.
2. Access
From Tokyo to Karuizawa by Hokuriku Shinkansen takes approximately 1 hour 11 minutes (Asama No. 609). We traveled in Gran Class both ways.
The quiet, elegant cabin with beige leather seats set the tone for a wonderful trip right from the start.
(A detailed Gran Class report is planned for a separate article.)
From Karuizawa Station, the hotel is about a 10-minute taxi ride.
Since the weather was beautiful that day, we strolled around the station area before heading over on foot.
The hotel also offers a shuttle service (advance reservation required — please confirm at the time of booking).
3. About the Hotel — Lobby & Facilities
A black plaque set into a moss-covered stone pillar, engraved with the kikyo (bellflower) logo and the words "KYUKARUIZAWA KIKYO 旧軽井沢."
The atmosphere immediately builds — you feel as though you've arrived at a hidden forest retreat.
The building itself has a solid, dignified presence — grey stone cladding framed by the lush greenery of Karuizawa.
The cobblestone drop-off and entrance convey understated luxury.
Not flashy at all, but that quiet elegance feels perfectly in harmony with the surrounding nature.
The interior is equally serene.
This is the lobby in front of the reception — a wooden front counter, latticed windows filtering in the green outside.
Rather than grandeur, what I felt most strongly here was stillness.
Facilities at a Glance
- Restaurant: Breakfast, lunch & dinner available (please confirm hours)
- Spa: NADESHICO SPA (treatment menu available)
- Wi-Fi: Complimentary throughout the property
- Parking: Available
4. Guest Room — Courtyard Suite (56.25 m²)
A kikyo (bellflower) logo emblem with the room number, set flush into the corridor wall. A small touch — but one that shows how much thought has gone into the details.
Our Room: Room 306 — Courtyard Suite
We had originally booked a Premium Room, but were kindly upgraded to the Courtyard Suite upon arrival.
- Room category: Suite (second highest tier, just below the KIKYO Suite)
- Size: 56.25 m²
- Floor: 3rd floor (top floor of the 3-storey building)
- View: Overlooking the beautiful central courtyard garden
- Layout: Separate living area and bedroom
Stepping inside, the living space greets you first. A sofa, armchair, glass coffee table, and TV are arranged thoughtfully, with terracotta and purple cushions adding a resort-like warmth. A sliding door separates the bedroom from the living area — perfect for using as a relaxation space during the day and a private sleeping area at night. That flexibility is one of the real joys of a suite.
Beyond the living room is the bedroom.
The first thing that catches your eye is the terracotta bed skirt against the warm wood-grain headboard.
Rather than the typical "clean white" of a standard Hilton room, this warm highland-resort palette felt genuinely relaxing.
Beside the bed is a wooden desk that opens up to reveal a lit vanity mirror — a lovely touch for getting ready.
Having a dedicated vanity space separate from the main bathroom makes the morning routine feel unhurried. The Japanese-style table lamp adds a nice accent to the room.
At 56 m², this isn't a huge suite, but the separation of living and sleeping areas makes it feel spacious and generous.
The wardrobe follows the same wood-grain aesthetic and has plenty of space. Wooden hangers and a safety deposit box are provided, among other essentials.
The slippers are thick, plush pile — genuinely comfortable. Compared to the disposable slippers typically found in standard Hilton rooms, these are a step up. That said, within the world of plush hotel slippers, they'd fall in the mid-range.
In-Room Amenities — Nespresso & TWG TEA
The room comes with a Nespresso machine stocked with a selection of capsules. Open the black box beside it, and you'll find an assortment of TWG TEA bags.
I often end up not touching the room tea — but something about seeing TWG makes it irresistible.
Having it available in the room is a genuinely welcome touch.
On the second morning, waking up just after 7:00 am, I was greeted by a canopy of blue sky and green treetops stretching beyond the courtyard below.
Being on the top floor (3rd) made all the difference — the view was simply beautiful.
The enclosed courtyard filters out any outside noise, filling the room with quiet morning air. It was a feeling you simply can't get from a city hotel.
Room Specs — Courtyard Suite
| Room Number | 306 |
|---|---|
| Room Type | Courtyard Suite |
| Size | 56.25 m² |
| Floor | 3rd floor (top floor) |
| View | Courtyard garden view |
| Layout | Separate living room + bedroom |
| Bed | Twin |
5. Bathroom & Amenities
The bathroom is a separate layout with individual areas for the vanity, bath, and toilet.
The vanity features a dark marble-effect countertop with a generously sized mirror and lighting on both sides to illuminate the workspace. Plenty of room to get ready comfortably.
There's also an illuminated magnifying mirror — handy for makeup or shaving.
These small, considerate touches are exactly what you'd expect from a suite-level room.
Amenities
The vanity amenities are from APPELLES — a premium Australian brand.
Skin lotion, hand & body wash, and soap are all provided.
APPELLES is not commonly seen at Hilton-affiliated hotels in Japan, which made it a genuine surprise and a delight.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving kit, comb, nail file, shower cap, mouthwash, and a body towel with the KIKYO logo — everything you could need is covered.
You could genuinely arrive with minimal luggage and be perfectly set.
Bath
The bath has a full-size tub alongside a separate wash area — a layout beloved by Japanese bathers.
The tub is large enough to stretch out and fully relax. The joy of soaking properly in a deep bath while keeping the washing area clean is not to be underestimated.
Bath amenities are also APPELLES — shampoo, conditioner, and hand & body wash in pump bottles.
Toilet
The toilet is in its own separate room — a detail that's quietly appreciated.
It's the TOTO Neorest, a high-end Japanese washlet, operated via a wall-mounted remote.
The granite-effect flooring completes the sense of quality in every corner of the room.
6. Dining
In-Room Dining
Having received such a generous upgrade, we decided to stay in on the first evening and ordered room service. We chose two dishes:
- Club Sandwich (with fries): Toasted bread stacked with chicken, bacon, lettuce, and cheese
- Garden Salad: A colourful salad with edible flowers, beetroot, and radish
There's also a 10% discount on room service for members with elite status — a nice perk.
We used room service again on the second evening as well.
With a room this nice, staying in felt like a perfectly valid choice — and the food was more than up to the task.
Breakfast
The breakfast venue is a light-filled restaurant enclosed by large glass windows. With the outdoor terrace deck and garden flowing seamlessly from the interior, eating breakfast in the morning light here is simply wonderful.
For my main, I chose the Smoked Salmon Open Toast.
Topped with microgreens, red onion, and a poached egg — a beautiful and satisfying plate.
With the garden outside so serene, morning here felt genuinely special.
If you want a window seat, I'd recommend arriving a little before the peak rush.
The Diamond breakfast benefit — two complimentary breakfasts — applied here as always. It's a perk I'm always grateful for. (Gold members receive the same.)
7. Exploring the Area — A Stroll Around Kyukaruizawa
The hotel sits in the heart of the Kyukaruizawa forest. Within easy walking distance is Kumoba Pond (雲場池) — also known as Swan Lake — a scenic spot we made sure to visit.
Interestingly, the water source for Kumoba Pond springs from within the adjacent hotel grounds. Known since the Edo period as "Gozensuí" (御膳水 — water fit for the shogun's table), this detail adds a layer of history to an already atmospheric location.
The route from the hotel to the pond winds through a quiet residential area of old villas — beautifully natural, but the roads are narrow with no separate footpaths, so walking side-by-side isn't always easy. Expect to fall into single file in places. 😅
In the other direction, a short walk brings you to the popular Kyukaruizawa Ginza shopping street.
The cobblestone promenade is lined with jam shops, sweets, and craft boutiques — and thanks to the tree canopy overhead, it feels noticeably cooler than Tokyo. We explored it before check-in.
For lunch we headed to Kawakami-an, a well-known soba restaurant along the main street — the tempura soba was excellent.
Prices are on the higher side for the area, but very much worth it.
(A separate article on Karuizawa's dining and sightseeing spots — including Kumoba Pond and Kawakami-an — is in the works.)
8. Hilton Diamond Benefits — An Honest Review
Here's a breakdown of the Diamond benefits we received at a Curio Collection property.
Benefits Received
- ✅ Room Upgrade: Premium Room → Courtyard Suite (56.25 m²)
- ✅ Complimentary breakfast for two
- ✅ KIKYO Lounge Service (evening finger food & drinks at the restaurant)
- ✅ Welcome gift (a small selection of sweets)
- ✅ Late checkout (we didn't use it, but it's available on request)
Benefits Not Available
- ❌ Executive Lounge (dedicated lounge): Not available at this property
KIKYO Lounge Service — Evening Snacks & Drinks in the Restaurant
While there's no dedicated lounge room, KIKYO offers Diamond members a "KIKYO Lounge Menu" service in the restaurant each evening — an unexpected and very welcome surprise.
Drinks (Alcoholic)
- Karuizawa Craft Beer: Clear / Dark
- Manns Wine — Kohbo no Awa Ryugan (Sparkling)
- Manns Wine — Chikumagawa Ryugan (White)
- Manns Wine — Asama Merlot (Red)
- Mars Whisky Shinshu
Drinks (Non-Alcoholic)
- Shinshu Apple Juice (Hanuda Orchard)
- Shinshu Grape Juice (Alps)
- Shinshu Peach Juice (Alps)
- Blended Coffee
- Darjeeling Tea
Finger Food
- Sanada Maru Smoked Chicken Tenderloin
- Marinated Olives
- Mixed Nuts
- Dried Grapes (Shinshu Delaware variety)
- Shinshu Oyaki (vegetable-filled steamed buns)
- Cheese
- Petit Fours
The entire spread reflects a clear commitment to local Karuizawa and Shinshu (Nagano Prefecture) ingredients. The finger food is beautifully presented on slate boards and easily matches the quality you'd expect from a proper lounge — possibly better. Paired with Manns Wine or Karuizawa craft beer, the early evening passed in a wonderfully relaxed fashion.
Not having a dedicated lounge room is a drawback, but this service more than compensates.
Summary:
| Benefit | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Suite Upgrade | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Exceptional) |
| Complimentary Breakfast for Two | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Appreciated) |
| KIKYO Lounge Service | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Shinshu flavours, satisfying) |
| Dedicated Executive Lounge | ❌ (Not available) |
There's no dedicated lounge room, but the hotel responds with locally sourced finger food and drinks in its place.
Suite upgrade + complimentary breakfast + KIKYO Lounge Service — as a Diamond member, this combination delivered a genuinely satisfying stay.
9. Summary — Who Is This Hotel For?
KIKYO is perfect for you if you:
- Want to slow down and unwind in the forests of Karuizawa (honestly, this covers it)
- Are a Hilton Diamond member hoping for a suite upgrade opportunity
- Want to make the most of complimentary Hilton breakfast benefits
- Appreciate quality amenities like APPELLES and TWG TEA
- Value easy walking access to Kumoba Pond and the Kyukaruizawa Ginza shopping street
A few minor points to note:
- No dedicated executive lounge (though the KIKYO Lounge Service is a worthy substitute)
Overall, this stay exceeded expectations. The Courtyard Suite upgrade (56.25 m²), complimentary breakfast for two, and the Shinshu-focused KIKYO Lounge Service — together, these three things made for an exceptionally satisfying stay as a Diamond member.
There's no private lounge room, but the way KIKYO responds with genuine local flavour feels distinctly Curio — independent spirit over corporate formula.
The garden view at breakfast, APPELLES amenities, TWG TEA in the room, and the kikyo bellflower motif woven into every detail — together, they add up to a true Karuizawa resort experience.
It's not the kind of hotel that makes you gasp at grand gestures. But it's the kind of hotel that quietly makes you think: I'd love to come back. A genuinely memorable stay.
